TEAMLAB’S FLORALSBy Elizabeth Patterson

Imagine being in a tunnel of flowers that react to your every move, blooming and drifting away as you walk through. Or of floral stingrays that move through the water without a care in the world. This is more than just something for movies; it’s the real-life brainchild of design group teamLab.

Flowers come to life in their computer-generated creations of birth and destruction. Projected in dark rooms, they become the sole light source, providing both a necessity and an artistic beauty. The projections gain even more distinctiveness with the knowledge that none of the floral scenes are ever repeated, making each experience truly special. Many of these installations are organic, changing in reaction to the movement of visitors or the background they are projected on. These amazing projections have been displayed at locations like Art Basel Hong Kong and the Seattle Art Fair, and one installation is currently on view at the Enoshima Aquarium in Kanagwa, Japan. With the giant aquarium filled with varied marine life serving as their background, the florals gain an entirely new form, as they seem to stick on animals like stingrays as they swim leisurely around their tank.

TeamLab is the collaborative group behind these breathtaking installations. The group formed in 2001 and is made up of a variety of artists, graphic designers, animators and architects. Together, they have created art installations, interactive projects, artwork and large-scale projections all over the world. Their flower works seem to be their most popular, as they have presented many variations of them over the years.

You can experience some of teamLab’s stunning floral projections at the Enoshima Aquarium in Kanagwa, Japan until December 25, 2015, or at the Saatchi Gallery in London from September 10-13, 2015.